Can cats eat dates? Since you’re probably wondering if your cat can eat dates, you’re not the only one out there who wonders the same thing. Felines can indeed eat food, which is pretty surprising, but it’s true. Here’s how to tell if your cat can eat dates and what you should do if he should.
You may know from other sources that cats don’t process plant-based nutrients the way dogs can, which is why you probably shouldn’t feed your cat exclusively with fruits and vegetables. However, right off the bat and in support of your curiosity, dates aren’t toxic to felines, even though they’re not a very good source of fiber. But even if your cat does have a problem consuming other kinds of fiber, he’ll typically have no problems digesting dates. However, odds are you’re here because your cat hasn’t had any, and maybe you’re concerned, or even you want to introduce them into his diet.
The answer, surprisingly, is yes. As animals, cats can eat just about anything, and cats can actually eat most things that don’t taste bad for dogs. In fact, recent studies have suggested that even the sugar contained in many commercial foods can be harmful to your cat’s health if he’s eating too much of it. Because many commercial foods use a type of sugar called Fructose, which is made from sugarcane, many pet owners wonder whether their pets can really benefit from eating dates.
Can Cats Eat Dates? Most Asked Question and Facts About This Topic
Well, while there’s no clear-cut answer, it seems safe to assume that your cat can enjoy a bit of a dates. Since dates contain a high sugar content, for starters, they are a very easy form of dietary fiber for your cat to take in. Also, since they’re a high sugar food, they’re not likely to cause him any harm when he’s a bit on the side. He may try to avoid them, but he won’t have any ill effects from doing so. In fact, eating dates may promote the best dental health for cats. When he eats a lot of high sugar food like this regularly, his teeth will become stronger and healthier.
High sugar fruits, including dates, are also a great source of protein. Many commercial brands of pet vitamins do contain some sort of animal protein, but most often, it’s in small amounts, such as a supplement that’s meant to be taken with other food. However, if you’re feeding your cat nothing else but fresh fruit and veggies, the occasional treat might not hurt. So although the consumption of dates might not be good for your cat’s immune system, it could be a great way to keep his overall health up.
As far as whether or not cats can actually eat dates, that’s still up for debate. If you’re feeding him anything other than fresh fruits and vegetables, you’ll want to stay away from sweet treats that have a lot of sugar in them, as these can be harmful to him. Although, it may not hurt to give him some occasional treats as long as he doesn’t go eating too many dates. However, if you’re feeding him a steady diet of fresh produce and meat, which most pet owners give their cats, it may not hurt to give him some occasional treats, such as dates.
